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Homosexuality: The Islamic Viewpoint Part 3

From the first verse, we learn that these people had themselves admitted that the family of Loot alayhis salaam who had Imaan (belief in Allah) was decent, chaste and morally pure. They also acknowledged that the family of Loot alayhis salaam refrained from this filthy practice. They realised this since it is natural for every person to immediately recognise the pure way of life inspired by Allah ta’aalaa when they see it and also to make out any type of unnatural and perverted behaviour.

In the Tafseer (commentary) of these verses it is mentioned that the people of Loot ulayhis salaam were practising both homosexuality and lesbianism.

When Allah decided to punish them, He commanded Jibra’eel alayhis salaam to lift the village of Loot alayhis salaam to the extent that the angels of the first heaven (sky) could actually hear the barking of their dogs. Jibra’eel alayhis salaam then turned them over and dropped them from this tremendous height.

Thereafter, Allah ta’aalaa caused scorching hot stones to rain down upon them. This is how this nation ended up being an example for the rest of mankind until the Day of Qiyaamah.

Imaam al-Aajuri rahmatullahi alayh has said, “Allah ta’aalaa has informed you about the despicable act of homosexuality committed by the people of Loot ala3lhis salaam and how He punished them by first snatching away their eyesight. Jibra’eel alayhis salaam was then instructed to uproot their cities with all the inhabitants until they were high up into the sky and then turn over their cities upon them. Thereafter they were pelted with stones of clay.”

Such was their punishment that not a single citizen or traveller could save himself from the stones and from being completely destroyed. It is said that they were four million in number. (Ibne Katheer pg. 471 Vol. 2)

Let us reflect! Why did Allah ta’aalaa punish them so severely in such a manner that He had never punished any other nation before? Surely their sin must have been really serious for Allah ta’aalaa to have I punished and destroyed them in this way.

DISGRACE IN THIS WORLD

The acts of homosexuality and lesbianism are certainly a perversion and a serious deviation from the inherent nature of man. These acts of defiance against human nature are also even viler and uglier than adultery. There is consensus among both Muslims and the followers of other religions that lesbianism and homosexuality are evil and filthy practices. This is why it is not surprising to find that Islaam so vehemently prohibits it and adopts such a harsh attitude against it.

The punishment awaiting such people in the Hereafter has already been explained, but what about their punishment in this world?

Since such type of behaviour was previously totally unknown to the Arab people, there is no record of any such incident having occurred during the time of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam or that he was faced with a case of this nature. However, it has been confirmed that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, ‘Kill the one who sodomizes and the one who lets it be done to him.’ (Tirmizi)

It is established that once Khaalid Ibne Waleed radhiyallahu anhu found a man in the frontiers of Arabia marrying another man in the way a woman marries a man, so he wrote about it to Aboo Bakr radhiyallahu anhu. When Aboo Bakr radhiyallahu anhu consulted with the Sahaabah, ‘Ali radhiyallahu anhu, who was the severest in his condemnation of it said, “Only one out of the many nations had indulged in it and you all know how Allah ta’aalaa had dealt with them. I feel that he should be put to death for the commission of such a vile act.” So Aboo Bakr radhiynllahu anhu wrote back to Khaalid radhiyallahu anhu who then ordered for his execution.

Ibne Qassaar and Ibne Taymiyyah rahmntullahi alayhimaa have said, “All the Sahaabah radhiyallahu anhum were unanimous that such a person should be put to death.”

Jaabir Ibne Zayd radhiyallahu anhu used to say, “The prohibition against anal intercourse is far more severe than the prohibition against illegitimate sexual intercourse (with a woman).”